WHAT IS A GUARDIAN?
A guardian isn’t just a title - it’s a promise of care, support, and presence
Understand the true role of a guardian — not just ticking boxes, but building trust, offering care, and being there every step of the way.
A guardian is someone who steps in when parents can’t be nearby. It’s someone who is trusted to support, represent, and care for a student while they study in the UK.
For international students, a guardian is often a key point of contact outside school. They’re there when travel plans change, when students feel unwell, or when schools close for holidays and short breaks. A guardian is the reassuring adult who can make decisions, offer guidance, and provide care in moments that matter.
But to us at YES Guardians, it’s more than just a role, it’s a relationship. We believe guardianship should feel personal. Supportive. Safe. That’s why we take the time to get to know every student and every family, offering the kind of care we’d expect for our own children.
Being a guardian isn’t just about being available, it’s about being present, thoughtful, and ready to act in a student’s best interests, every single time.
If you’d like to learn more about how guardianship works in practice, we’ve put together helpful guides covering different aspects of the role:
Educational Guardianship — What it means to support a student in the UK from a broader academic and welfare perspective.
Boarding School Guardianship — A closer look at what guardianship involves specifically for boarding school students, including responsibilities during term breaks and emergencies.
These pages are great if you’re looking to better understand how we fit into your child’s educational journey.
why join yes guardians?
We’re proud to be awarded Gold Standard accreditation from AEGIS, the highest benchmark for guardianship excellence in the UK. This reflects our commitment to safe, supportive, and outstanding care for every student we look after.
As a YES Guardians family, here’s what you can expect, not just a service, but a community. Our support spans every aspect of a student’s UK journey, and we’ve grouped our care into four key areas:
🛡️ Care & Safety
- 24/7 Emergency Contact
- One Dedicated Personal Guardian
- AEGIS-accredited Gold Standard Safeguarding
- Host Family Vetting and Matching
- YES Guardians WhatsApp for Direct Communication
🏡 Home & Daily Life
- Host Family Arrangements
- YES Guardians Drivers
- Travel Planning and Safe Transfers
- Mobile Phone Setup and SIM Guidance
- Day-to-Day Support for Practical Needs
- Access to Useful Local Resources
🎓 Education & School Support
- School Registration Support
- Academic Monitoring and Updates
- Attendance at Parents' Evenings
- Assistance with School Uniforms
✨ Personalised Touches
- Welcome Packs and Personalised Gifts
- Tailored Care for Day Boarders
- Custom/Bespoke Items Based on Student Preferences
- Regular Check-ins and Celebrations of Milestones
"This is my third guardian. In China, agents often tell us to choose the big companies, but they might as well not have existed — I didn’t even know who my guardian was. I was constantly placed with host families that didn’t suit me and made me feel uncomfortable. I’ve been with YES for two years now and I honestly love you guys. I feel supported, listened to, and you always help me with everything I need."
